Rebel Regiment officers want a British Army officer posted to the Island booted out of Bermuda after a controversial letter apparently written by the UK soldier was leaked, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

On Monday Labour and Home Affairs Minister Maxwell Burgess met Governor Thorold Masefield, the Regiment's Commander-in-Chief, to discuss the row.

Government House Registrar Paul Dryden confirmed a meeting took place between Mr. Burgess and Mr. Masefield on Monday afternoon.

But Mr. Dryden added: "It's not just necessarily about the Regiment. It's a general monthly talk, although I'm sure the Regiment was one of the topics of conversation.'' Mr. Dryden, however, declined to comment on the content of the talks between the two.

Mr. Burgess also refused to discuss the meeting with the Governor.

But it is believed the English Major may be asked to return home before the end of his detatchment, understood to run to the end of this year.

The Royal Gazette understands a furious group of officers are leading the charge to have the Royal Anglian Regiment's Maj. David Napier sent back home.

The move comes after the letter -- written on what looked to be Maj. Napier's notepaper, but without a signature and marked "Staff In Confidence'' -- was leaked to Shadow Labour and Home Affairs Minister Alex Scott.

The letter -- apparently written by Maj. Napier, Senior British Loan Service Officer -- blamed the Opposition Progressive Labour Party for the decision not to bring a Royal Anglian senior non-commissioned officer to Bermuda in a training role.

The document, addressed to Lt. Col. A.A.A. Beattie at the British Army's infantry training school at Warminster, England, claimed that the Opposition was using Sgt. Maj. Glenn Keeble's proposed attachment to the Regiment "to embarrass the current Government.'' The letter added that claims of racial bias in Regimental promotions were "nonsense'' and said the racial balance in the Officers' Mess was being called into question because of "nasty'' politics.

And it said if Sgt. Maj. Keeble was appointed, a writ would be lodged in Supreme Court to block the move until a House of Assembly debate on the cost could be held.

Maj. Napier could not be contacted for comment.

The Royal Anglian Regiment has a long-standing relationship with the Bermuda Regiment and provides permanent staff.

A Regiment insider this week said: "A lot of people would be happy to see Major Napier go.'' And he predicted: "His involvement with the letter will probably spell his demise.'' The row broke out after claims of racial bias in Regiment promotions -- with one report claiming former Regiment Adjutant Capt. Larry Mussenden was "furious'' about being passed over in favour of another, white, officer for a leg-up to Major's rank.

Regiment Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Patrick Outerbridge, however, denied claims of racial prejudice and insisted promotion was based strictly on a combination of seniority, training and experience.

And Lt. Col. Outerbridge said Capt. Mussenden had accepted he had made error in thinking he was senior to the officer promoted over him and added he believed the Captain would confirm that. But Capt. Mussenden, a barrister with the Attorney General's Chambers, declined to comment, pointing out that Defence Act rules forbade him from speaking to the press about Regimental affairs.